Oceans of opportunities for marine research

Boris Worm, professor of marine conservation biology at Dalhousie University and head of the institution's The Worm Lab research centre, says there is a wealth of opportunities for marine science work in Canada.

Photograph by: Danny Abriel
, Handout

Boris Worm may not have been raised near the ocean, but he always had a desire to become a marine biologist.

"I was just fascinated by animals and the ocean," says the professor of marine conservation biology at Dalhousie University and head of the institution's The Worm Lab research centre.

"I was also a very curious person so enjoyed asking questions and getting answers. I guess that makes me a scientist," he says.

He studied at the University of Kiel in his native Germany before coming to Canada in 1995 to do his master's degree. In 2004, he accepted a position at Dalhousie. What fascinates him about marine conservation in Canada is the wealth of opportunities available.

"Canada has the longest coastline in the world and three oceans, which is amazing," he says. "There's a lot of very good marine science work done here. In fact we're internationally renowned for it."

He adds that Halifax is one of the "big research hubs" for marine science in Canada and the western hemisphere. The Worm Lab, for its part, has nine people on its team. For Worm, the ideal team member is someone who is curious and passionate about the natural world.

"You also need good analytical and mathematical skills, and be able to think clearly," he says.

The job also requires talents beyond science. "A lot of my work is writing papers and presenting findings to decision makers, so good presentation skills are important," Worm says. "You can't be a recluse in this profession because you often have to work with policy-makers, NGOs and business people."

A good part of marine research work is about helping others make better decisions about managing those environments, says Bob Gunn, program head, Fish, Wildlife & Recreation Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) diploma program in Vancouver. "A large percentage of the job is gathering data, taking a look at what it is telling you, writing reports and presenting information."

Competition for entry to the BCIT program is stiff: only one in three applicants is accepted. Beyond math and science skills he says, "We also look for people with related or volunteer experience. That's really important in a highly competitive field like marine studies."

Practical skills also help, from the ability to operate a boat or other equipment to outdoor pursuits. "You have to remember that you often work in outdoor environments in a variety of weather conditions."

While the job market is highly competitive, "Employment in the field is increasing as we try to understand how to better manage our environment and reduce threats to the marine populations," Gunn says.

Meghan McKillop was one of the lucky ones. After graduating from the BCIT program, she landed a job as a research assistant with the Vancouver Aquarium where she helps monitor killer whale populations.

"I was born and raised in the lower mainland," she says. "Growing up along the coastline, I always appreciated nature and had a love of whales."

She had worked as a naturalist with a whale watching company while getting her zoology degree at the University of Saskatchewan. "That got my foot in the door."

During the summer months, she's out on the water conducting field work. The rest of the year she spends her time going through the data collected, and sifting through the photos and sound recordings gathered in the field.

"There is a lot of everyday stuff in front of the computer, researching papers and communicating with other colleagues," she admits. "You don't think about that so much when you get into biology studies. But the variety makes it all very exciting."

Now after four years with the Aquarium, McKillop is proud of the fact that her work is playing a part in conservation efforts. "The information we collect here on killer whale population growths and declines is a key starting ground for bigger research projects and developing species at risk recovery strategies. It's nice to be in a position where I can keep learning and make a difference."

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Boris Worm, professor of marine conservation biology at Dalhousie University and head of the institution's The Worm Lab research centre, says there is a wealth of opportunities for marine science work in Canada.

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